Baltimore Rock Opera Society’s surprise Halloween show includes magic, scares and parties in between

They said the gore-heavy B-horror comedy “Incredibly Dead!” would be their last show of 2018, but the Baltimore Rock Opera Society got the Halloween itch. For four nights this month, the all-volunteer troupe has announced, they’ll be putting on a scare- and magic-centric show, “Lurid Happenings: A Night of Mischief and Devilry,” that promises to be lively and a literal party.

“Lurid Happenings” is set to premiere at The Peale Center on Oct. 26 and run again on the 27th, 28th and Halloween, with a pair of “early” and “late” shows each night at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The production is BROS’ first made specifically for Halloween, and stars local voice actor, musician and longtime BROS member Rex Anderson as “The Amazing Allerdyce” and Baltimore magician Lucas Gerace as his mentor, Sinifredo. They’ve both “recently returned from a globe-trotting exploration of the dark arts,” according to the “Lurid Happenings” website.

BROS artistic director Aran Keating was coy when asked for additional plot-related details: “I think people should come expecting to be scared and thrilled, and to leave having a good time.”

The show will include special effects and elements that get the audience involved, with some BROS hallmarks, Keating said, like handmade set pieces and a band playing originally composed music.

“Basically it’s a combination of a magic show and a haunted house and an [amusement park] attraction,” he said.

Each showing of “Lurid Happenings” doubles as the nonprofit’s annual Halloween party. In between performances, The Peale will host a cocktail party with live music from alt-rockers Quattracenta and psych-y Americana group Voodoo Pharmacology. Guests for both shows are invited to mingle during the interim festivities.

Tickets are on sale now for $20 apiece. Guests must be 18 and older (or bring a guardian for those any younger) due to “dark themes and disturbing imagery,” according to the show’s website.

BROS is in on the tail end of a big year. After a 13-month capital campaign to raise $75,000 to secure a permanent home—the group has moved numerous times, and this year bid farewell to its longtime headquarters at the Bell Foundry—the nonprofit surpassed that goal in January. Keating said Friday that they have additional money pledged, and are working closely with someone on finding a property.

Details are pending on where that would be, but something is in the works.

“The nest egg is starting to grow, and we’re looking forward to sharing some ideas and plans when they’re ready,” Keating said.

Ethan has been editing and reporting for Baltimore Fishbowl since fall of 2016. His previous stops include Fox 45, CQ Researcher and Connection Newspapers in Northern Virginia. His freelance writing has been featured in Baltimore City Paper, Leafly, DCist and BmoreArt, among other outlets. He enjoys basketball, humid Mid-Atlantic summers and story tips.